Agency says Jakarta floods caused by garbage, heavy rains

Jakarta Public Works Agency on Thursday said garbage clogging newly built drains under one of the city’s main thoroughfares, Jl. Thamrin in Central Jakarta, was causing floods.

Agency chief Ery Basworo said the administration had built three drains under the road in December last year. However, these were already clogged with garbage, which meant the surrounding area was inundated when it rained heavily on Wednesday.

Floodwaters on nearby Jl. Sabang were thigh-deep in some areas, kompas.com reported Wednesday.

Ery said his office regularly cleaned drains to prevent them from overflowing during heavy rains. He added that the rainfalls on Wednesday were exceptionally high, reaching 100 millimeters.

Parts of Central and South Jakarta were also inundated, worsening traffic congestion in those areas.